From plasma to breast milk, giving is in Amanda’s blood

Plasma: it’s a lot like giving blood

Amanda spends a lot of time thinking about health. After all, she’s a physiotherapist and yoga teacher. Holistic health is her day job.

Based in Adelaide, her donor journey began three years ago when a friend took her along to her donation. A quick eligibility quiz showed her that she couldn’t donate blood for a few months thanks to a recent overseas trip, but that didn’t stop her. A nurse checked her veins, and exclaimed, “Your veins are pretty good, do you want to try donating plasma?”

Amanda was thrilled at the opportunity and went for it. 

She found the entire process super simple and is a huge advocate of changing more lives, more often, with plasma.

“I sometimes joke about how my plasma vein is my best feature,” said Amanda.

She especially loves the happy dance the nurse does when she’s well hydrated. 

Throughout her journey as a plasma donor, she’s heard countless recipient stories and all about the 18 uses of plasma, which she continues to use as motivation to donate. After all, she’s always felt connected to what keeps people feeling well.

A humbling experience

Amanda’s son Ethan was born at 31 weeks and needed to spend five weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit to keep growing on the outside, when he should’ve been growing inside. 

While Amanda pumped six times a day, Ethan was too young to breastfeed. That left her with a large over-supply which she recalls as being both a blessing and a difficulty. Her lactation consultant suggested donating her excess breast milk, and a quick eligibility quiz later, a Lifeblood representative came over to collect it.

“It’s very humbling knowing that my breast milk went to premature babies, like Ethan, to help nourish them,” said Amanda.

During what is usually a very busy time as a new mum, she found the process of donating breast milk very convenient. All she did was pump and freeze, as normal.

“I’ve loved all the ups and the downs, the joys and the challenges of parenthood,” she said.

Amanda hopes that she can lead by example — inspiring others to look after themselves and give while they can.

If Amanda’s selflessness has inspired you, find your nearest centre and book a donation.

And if you’re a mum with excess breast milk in the Sydney, Adelaide, and Brisbane area, learn how milk donation works here.